2018 Audi S6 Sedan

7.9

Overview

Audi S6 is a high-performance version of Audi A6, a sedan car produced with ultimate care in order to fit in the midsize luxury sport sedan segment. It came into the existence just after Audi A6 went on sale. S6 defines better the better version of the car that is well reputed in the Audi Sedan Class. Audi S6 places itself uniquely among rivals like BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-class.

With 4.0L Turbocharged V8 type engine and 7-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic type transmission is the best in class when it comes on the road with a time of just flat 4 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill position. In addition to its German competitors, 2018 Audi S6 competes with Jaguar XF, Cadillac CT6, and Lexus GS.

Although the S6's handling abilities are a little underwhelming, the overall luxury sport sedan package is pretty compelling. If it's sophisticated entertainment and technology you're after, the S6's got you covered, too. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration let you make the most of the S6's large and clear multimedia interface, and a bevy of optional features are available to crank up the luxury quotient even further.

Expert Review

7.9

With 4.0L Turbocharged V8 type engine and 7-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic type transmission, the sedan offers best in class performance and efficiency. The sedan takes 4 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill position. In addition to its German competitors, 2018 Audi S6 competes with Jaguar XF, Cadillac CT6, and Lexus GS.

Features

8.6/10

The 2018 Audi S6 is offered in two trims: Premium Plus and Prestige. Both share the same powertrain, body, and interior, and differ mainly in the details. Both use 4.0 Turbocharged V8 engine and 7-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission system. The engine produces a power of 450 hp and a torque of 406 lb-ft.

Parking system plus with a top view camera (front and rear acoustic parking sensors)

Power rear window, manual rear side window sunshades

Power trunk

Prestige differs from Premium Plus in terms of the features as it provides LED interior lighting, Head-up display with navigation information, power trunk and many more with all the features included in Premium Plus.

We Recommend

The best choice would be the Audi S6 Premium Plus. Although it is the base model but provides all the features that you really need. With some extra bucks, one can get some extra features such as red brake calipers, Interior Lighting and many more.

Engine

7.9/10

"This is a car that's more about refinement and daily driving than driving engagement. Rapid and undramatic acceleration, but frustrating steering and handling qualities when you get even modestly enthusiastic with it. Very smooth transmission. Great engine; mediocre chassis and tires."- Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

Audi S6’s 4.0 L Turbocharged V8 engine can produce a power of 450 hp at 5800 rpm and a torque of 406 lb-ft at 1400 rpm. It comes paired with a 7-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission System. Audi S6’s engine is one of the best among its rivals. Only BMW M550i xDrive’s engine produces better torque and power than S6’s with a cost higher by $2,000. It uses 8-Speed Automatic Transmission System.

Mercedes E43 AMG with almost same price produces relatively very less torque and power. Cadillac CTS V-Sport has less price with better transmission system than S6 but comparatively less power and torque.

Models

Audi S6

BMW M550i xDrive

Mercedes E43 AMG

Cadillac CTS V-Sport

Starting MSRP

$71,900

$73,900

$71,600

$62,190

Engine

4.0L Turbocharged V8

4.4L Turbocharged V8

3.0L Turbocharged V6

3.6L Turbocharged V6

Transmission

7-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic

8-Speed Automatic

9-Speed Automatic

8-Speed Automatic

Power

450 hp

456 hp

396 hp

420 hp

Torque

406 lb-ft

480 lb-ft

384 lb-ft

430 lb-ft

Acceleration

Audi S6 has got an efficient 4.0 L Twin-Turbocharged V8 engine which can reach a speed of 60 mph from a standstill position in just 3.9 seconds and even can cover a quarter mile in 12.4 seconds at a speed of 113 mph.

Models

Audi S6

BMW M550i xDrive

Mercedes E43 AMG

Cadillac CTS V-Sport

0-60 MPH

3.9 Seconds

3.8 Seconds

4.2 Seconds

4.5 Seconds

Quarter mile

12.4 Seconds @ 113 mph

12.3 Seconds @ 115 mph

12.8 Seconds @ 109 mph

12.9 Seconds @ 112 mph

Engine

4.0L Turbocharged V8

4.4L Turbocharged V8

3.0L Turbocharged V6

3.6L Turbocharged V6

Emission

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

8.4

9.3

8.4

9.3

BMW M550i xDrive is the only car in the class which takes lesser time to reach 60 mph for standstill position than S6 by a difference of just 0.1 seconds but it emits more CO2 than S6. Both Mercedes E43 AMG and Cadillac CTS V-Sport trails them for reaching 60 mph and even to cover a quarter mile.

Steering and Handling

Steering is very quick around the center. At low speeds, it is very light, quick and feels very synthetic. At moderate speeds, the steering still feels non-linear after turn-in and requires more input to achieve an equal amount of turning.

Audi S6 uses Rack and Pinion type steering system with a turning diameter (Curb to Curb of 39 ft.). Not an impressive-handling even in moderately hard driving. The sport differential requires the use of the throttle to counter this behavior, demanding a clunky driving style.

Braking

Audi S6 is not the best when it comes to the braking. It has noisy brakes. The ABS comes installed in all the four wheels. Our measured 60-to-zero-mph stop in 112 feet is about average for the class.

Model

Audi S6

BMW M550i xDrive

Mercedes E43 AMG

Cadillac CTS V-Sport

Brake Front(in)

15.7

N/A

14.2

12.6

Brake Rear(in)

14

N/A

14.2

12.4

Curb Weight(lbs)

4497

3878

4145

3992

60-0 MPH (ft.)

112

106

110

107

Audi S6 is the heaviest car among its rivals, around 600 lbs more than its closest rivals. Moreover, its stopping distance from zero of 60 mph is maximum in the class. The only car closest to Audi S6 in both the criteria is Mercedes E43 AMG.

Fuel Economy

7.1/10

Audi S6 is very easy to live with routine driving situations. The engine stop-start function could be better; restarts take a beat before thrust can be delivered. S6 returns a mileage of 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway which combines to 22 mpg which is above par for the class.

Model

Audi S6

BMW M550i xDrive

Mercedes E43 AMG

Cadillac CTS V-Sport

MPG City

18

16

19

16

MPG Highway

27

25

25

24

MPG Combine

22

19

22

20

Mercedes E43 AMG is the only rival which has higher mileage than S6 in the city by just 1 mpg but lacks on the highway. Other competitors, BMW M550i xDrive and Cadillac CTS V-Sport have lower mileage in both cities as well as on the highway.

Interior

7.8/10

"The 2018 Audi S6 hasn’t been redesigned as recently as many other cars in the class, but it still boasts one of the nicest interiors among luxury midsize sedans. Soft-touch materials are everywhere, and both rows of seats are spacious and supportive. There are plenty of standard and available tech features, headlined by the easy-to-use MMI infotainment system. Trunk space is average for the class." - cars.usnews

Seating and Comfort

Audi S6 has a seating of four and ample space, making this car more practical. Similar to Audi A6, it has a comfortable seating for four members with enough room for plenty of gear. By the numbers, the S6 has 114.8 inches between the wheels and is nearly 200 inches from end to end, which is a generous shadow for a mid-sizer.

Rear-seat passengers should have enough leg room to fit behind 6-footers. The trunk takes 14.1 cubic feet of cargo, which is enough plenty of luggage. BMW 5-series has a bigger trunk than S6 by just 25%. Inside, the S6 is trimmed with careful attention to detail and features one of the most straightforward layouts.

Model

Audi S6

BMW M550i xDrive

Mercedes E43 AMG

Cadillac CTS V-Sport

Passenger capacity

5

5

5

5

Passenger Volume(ft cube)

98

98.8

N/A

97

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)

(In.)

37.2/57.5/41.3

38.8/58.7/41.4

37.9/57.8/41.3

40.4/56.9/45.7

Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg)

(In.)

37.8/56.3/37.4

37.5/55.9/36.5

38.2/56.9/35.8

37.5/54.8/35.4

Controls fall within easy reach. It has knobs for temperature adjustment, buttons for fan speed. The multimedia system works well and stows in-dash. The flat-bottomed steering wheel looks neat but can feel odd in your hands. Good headroom in the front, even for 6-footers. The back seat is especially roomy with plenty of headroom, good shoulder room, and knee clearance.

Infotainment

Audi's MMI infotainment system is excellent, which got easy to learn controls. One'll be hard-pressed to find a better user-friendly interface or such a high-quality stereo than that of S6. The quiet interior of the S6 offers a good soundstage for the Bose sound system. The car has simple navigation and an easy-to-understand map with instructions doubled inside the instrument panel.

Bluetooth connects easily to any phone, and Audi's Connect system is easy to learn. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, but Audi's systems are so logically designed that we used them most of the time instead. It's one of the best systems in the class.

Trunk Volume

The S6 begs to be loaded up and taken on a long road trip with a large trunk, ample small-item storage and, of course, large rear seat room. The cabin has a good amount of storage, with a two-tiered bin in the center console, a shallow bin in front of the shifter along with average-size door pockets.

Model

Audi S6

BMW M550i xDrive

Mercedes E43 AMG

Cadillac CTS V-Sport

Volume (ft cube)

14.1

18.7

13.1

13.7

The trunk has a low liftover height, soft opening, and concealed hinges. The standard trunk offers average width and height but the Prestige Trim got a power trunk lid.

Exterior

7.8/10

"The A6’s exterior features some bold elements, such as the recently upgraded headlights, grille, front bumper and LED taillights, but overall the shape and styling remain typically Audi conservative. Viewed from behind, the taillights have a sleek profile and are easy to pick out whenever you’re behind one, day or night."- Kelley Blue Book

Dimensions and weight

Being the heaviest in the class, S6 has least ground clearance and wheelbase. Other dimensions like Length, Height, and Width are average compared to its rivals.

Model

Audi S6

BMW M550i xDrive

Mercedes E43 AMG

Cadillac CTS V-Sport

Curb weight(lbs)

4497

3878

4145

3992

Length(in)

194.4

195.4

194.6

195.5

Width(in)

73.8

73.5

73.2

72.2

Height(in)

56.8

58.2

57

57.2

Ground clearance(in)

4.57

5.1

4.5

5.1

Wheelbase(in)

114.8

117.1

115.7

114.6

Track width(in) F/R

63.6/63.2

63/63.9

64.1/62.9

61.4/61.7

Exterior Features

Compact Spare Tire Mounted Inside Under Cargo

Clearcoat Paint

Body-Colored Front and Rear Bumper

Chrome Side Windows Trim and Black Front Windshield Trim

Light Tinted Glass

Galvanized Steel/Aluminum Panels

Lip Spoiler

Trunk Rear Cargo Access

Perimeter/Approach Lights

Safety

The 2018 Audi S6 has only undergone crash tests conducted by National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHSTA) and has scored 5 stars in each of the crash tests. Although, the Audi S6 has not been tested by the IIHS.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with secondary collision brake assist and traction control (ASR)

Anti-theft alarm system

Tire-pressure monitoring system

Safety belt reminder for driver and front passenger

Lower anchors for child seats in rear seats

Electromechanical parking brake

Competition

BMW M550i xDrive VS Audi S6

Being costlier than Audi S6, BMW M550i xDrive has a more powerful engine with almost same acceleration with the S6 but S6 is a much better choice when it comes to the fuel economy section. BMW is way lighter than S6 and gives better ground clearance. Both have almost same interior space with the S6 having bigger cargo space.

Mercedes E43 AMG VS Audi S6

Both having an almost same price but a lot of difference in power and torque generated by their engines. S6 has way more powerful engine than Mercedes. Even Mercedes take more time to reach 60 mph from standstill position but it has a better transmission system than S6.

These both cars are best in their class when it comes to the mileage. They serve almost the same dimensions with an average ground clearance. Mercedes provide more space for seating and comfort but S6 has more cargo volume.

Cadillac CTS V-Sport VS Audi S6

Cadillac CTS V-Sport is the most economical car in the class with a good transmission system. Its engine is average in producing stable power and takes most time for acceleration. The car has average fuel economy in the class.

Final Verdict

“ The 2018 Audi S6 stands with an impressive hand: quality interior, great performance, functional shape. Its possible to find better examples of other cars but they all cost significantly more.”- carconnection

With a bit weak steering and braking department, S6 stands tall in the safety department. Its interior makes it a High-Class luxury car. There are no flaws as such in this car. All in all, this is one of the best cars available in the segment.